3:07 PM Jul 5, 2011
An Ottawa County man who authorities said slit the throats of two horses belonging to his wife and a stable owner, as retribution for his belief that the two were having an affair, was sentenced today to 60 days on an electronic tether. An Ottawa County Circuit judge in Grand Haven also sentenced 47-year-old Dennis Finkler to two years probation, about $20,000 in restitution and fines, and community service. The Conklin man pleaded no contest in May to torturing and killing an animal, and malicious destruction of property.
2:02 PM Jul 5, 2011
The danger that an Asian carp invasion poses on the Great Lakes will be discussed at the Norton Shores branch of the Muskegon Area District Library at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. "Asian Carp: An Imminent Invasion?' will take place in the community room of the library, 705 Seminole Road. The program is free and open to the public.
12:36 PM Jul 5, 2011
In a few weeks, Joe Duff and Jeffrey Nordquist will be running as teammates at Grand Valley State University. On Saturday, the two outstanding runners were competitors at the Grand Haven High School Patriots Day Run. Nordquist, a junior-to-be at GVSU, outlasted his teammate-to-be Duff in the 5K event, running a fantastic time of 16 minutes, 28 seconds. Duff placed second in the annual fourth of July weekend race, crossing the finish line in 16:54.
11:31 AM Jul 5, 2011
Two men are recovery from gunshot wounds suffered shortly after Fourth of July festivities wrapped up in downtown Grand Rapids. Both men were shot in their legs just before 11:30 p.m., near Rosa Parks Circle. Police immediately began to evacuate people still in the area. "It is my understanding that there was some sort of fight or some sort of event occurring in the parking lot, some sort of commotion and struggle,' Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk said. "It was during that event that someone pulled out a firearm and fired at least two shots.'
11:24 AM Jul 5, 2011
Police said a 38-year-old man who was setting off fireworks in a boat overnight apparently drowned after jumping into a lake to try to retrieve a lantern that fell overboard. The Van Buren County Sheriff's Department said several agencies were still trying to find the man's body Monday evening. The victim was identified as Kerry Ulrath of Bangor. Sheriff Dale Gribler said the accident happened about 2 a.m. Monday on Donavan Lake in Bangor Township. It's about 50 miles south-southwest of Grand Rapids.
11:21 AM Jul 5, 2011
The hottest spot in Grand Haven for Independence Day weekend fun-seekers was almost certainly Grand Haven State Park. The park's acting supervisor, Melissa VanderVelde, said thousands of people came to camp, swim or play on the beach over the three-day weekend. On Monday alone, VanderVelde said she estimated that around 5,000 people came to the state park. "The beach was standing-room only, at least in front of the pavilion,' she said, adding that the park's 174 campsites were full Saturday through Monday.
11:10 AM Jul 5, 2011
A 4-year-old Muskegon boy was killed Friday night when the car he was riding in went off the road and hit a tree, according to Michigan State Police. Elijah Wolfenbargen was one of three people taken by ambulance to Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, where the boy was pronounced dead due to injuries suffered in the crash, police said. The crash occurred in the area of Sternberg Road near South Hilton Park Road in Muskegon County's Sullivan Township.
10:50 AM Jul 5, 2011
The Tri-Cities area was filled with sun and plenty of activity during the Independence Day holiday. Monday began with festivities in the city of Ferrysburg, where a parade was held. "It was a great turnout,' Ferrysburg Mayor Jeff Stille said. "We've had progressively more and more people turn out every year. God bless this beautiful day - it really helps to have a nice healthy turnout.'
10:38 AM Jul 5, 2011
When Jon Dault started the Mike Herman Memorial Free Soccer Camp four years ago, he had no idea how quickly his new venture would blossom. That first camp, slapped together in 20 days, drew just over 200 young soccer players. This year's camp, which takes place at Grand Haven High School on July 11-13, already has over 550 participants registered, with more expected.
9:12 AM Jul 5, 2011
A carnival worker was killed early today after coming into contact with a power line in Sand Lake. It happened at a Fourth of July carnival around 3:15 a.m. "The ride was being dismantled at the time,' Sand Lake Police Chief Ken Williams said. "It is still under investigation at this time, but it appears contact was made with an electrical wire.' Police said it's not clear if the power line was down before the accident or because of the accident.
7:06 AM Jul 5, 2011
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. West-southwest wind at 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 2 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. West-northwest wind at 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
7:04 AM Jul 5, 2011
Lightning, roaring thunder and heavy rain did not stop the West Michigan Youth Sailing Association Regatta on Friday. "Considering the weather, we had to postpone," said Stacey Reierson, director of the Spring Lake Junior Sailing Association. "But once we got out there, it was fantastic.' More than 50 kids sailed in the competition's five fleets: Optimist green; Optimist red, white and blue; Butterfly; Laser; and 420.